MMBSD: College Football Preview

Ah, College Football…the roar of the 100,000 person crowd, the Saturday noon game, the sound of the fire truck racing to put on the 5 car blaze. Few things can bring tears to my eyes like a hard fought victory or the resulting tear gas to put down the celebratory riot. College football officially kicks off its season in a little more (or less depending on when you read this) than 10 days. As I will be doling out some NFL preview action in the coming weeks MMBSD will focus on its college season preview. Listed below are my picks for Conference Champion and my pick for the BCS championship game. Conferences are listed in increasing competitiveness.

6. Big East:

Contenders: West Virginia, Louisville

Winner: West Virginia.

Why: Last year the Mountaineers surprised everyone when the defeated a sleep walking Georgia team in the Sugar Bowl. All the key starters (QB Pat White, running back Steve Salton, cornerback Jimmy Joe Joe Scubadoo) are back and primed for not only a run in a conference that should be re-classified as a mid-major but a shot out at an undefeated season.

Key Game: Louisville at West Virginia. Nov 2. West Virginia can wrap up the Big East title with a win here.

5. Pac-10

Contenders: USC, Cal, Oregon

Winner: USC

Why: The toughest three games (Oregon, Cal, and Notre Dame) are all home at the Coliseum. Gas was affordable the last time USC lost at home. USC also returns a tough defense and a great recruiting class.

Key Game: Cal at USC (Nov 18)

4. Big 12

Contenders: Texas, Oklahoma (did I really even have to spell it out. If the Big East needs to be demoted to mid-major status, the Big 12 North division needs to be demoted to the UAA and no I don't want the UAA is)

Winner: Oklahoma.

Why: That's what the coin flip told me to put. Oklahoma was the favorite until their starting quarterback decided to go all Florida State and get suspended. Both teams have great defenses, solid offensive lines, premier runners (Oklahoma does get the nod here) and freshman quarterbacks. I'm going with Oklahoma as they get the home game of the Red River Classic and they will be looking for revenge for the beat down Texas gave them last year.

Key Game: Texas at Oklahoma October 7.

3. ACC

Contenders: Miami, FSU, Clemson (darkhorse)

Winner: FSU

Why: Talent, Talent, Talent. Miami's recruiting of late has been pretty lame and as a result Larry Coker is on the hot seat in Hurricane land. Second year Drew Weatherford should grow into an elite passer after taking his lumps as a starting freshman last year.

Key Game: FSU at Miami Sept 4.

2. Big Ten

Contenders: OSU, Iowa, that team up North

Winner: Three way tie

Why: OSU goes to Iowa at night. Iowa goes to the Big House. The Wolverines head to Horseshoe. Winning on the road in the Big 10 is a hard task and very few teams escape without a loss somewhere in the dust and din of a Big 10 schedule. All three of the contenders have solid experienced quarterbacks making rebuilt defenses the key to winning an outright title. I'm very doubtful any team will hold sole first place when the dust clears.

Key Game: If you don't know then obviously your not a golfer....

1. SEC

Contenders: Auburn, Florida, LSU, Georgia

Winner: Auburn

Why: Schedule. Florida plays in the following weeks LSU, at Auburn, Georgia. That’s just brutal. I'm giving Auburn the nod over LSU since Auburn has the home game between the two (also Auburn gets Georgia and Florida on their home turf). If teams can't hold serve on their home court then a monkey playing darts has a better shot making correct predictions than I do.

Key Game: All of them

UPDATE: I did forget my BCS Championship pick, thanks Gutsy

BCS Championship Game: W Virginia v. Notre Dame . W.V. has the easy schedule. Notre Dame has the hype. If Notre Dame is anywhere near the top they will get the nod.
I think the big game then migh end up Notre Dame at USC to decide of the Fighting Irish are going to the big game.